Jesus’s Birth
Remarkable Circumstances in Jesus’s Birth
Caesar’s Tax
Joseph and Mary were from Nazareth, Lk 2:4, 1:26. Ordinarily, they would have stayed in Nazareth for Jesus’s birth because Mary was already so far along in her pregnancy, Lk 2:5.
Yet, Jesus was not supposed to be born in Nazareth. Rather, he was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem, Mic 5:2, Matt 2:4-6. So, God used the decree of Caesar, that all the world should be taxed, to compel Joseph and Mary to be in Bethlehem, Lk 2:3-5. While they were there, Jesus was born, Lk 2:6.
Interestingly, this world-wide tax decree by the world’s ruling power is a foreshadowing of the coming of the antichrist in Daniel’s prophecy in Dan 11:20. In other words, this tax at the first and second coming of Jesus is associated with someone who is contrary to Christ. Yet, Joseph’s obedience emphasizes why we must be subject to the higher powers, Rom 13:1-7, even when they make decisions we don’t like. God used Caesar’s authority to move “his” family to the right place for Jesus’s birth.
Jesus’s Manger
Evidently, Bethlehem was crowded with visitors who had come to be taxed, because no inns were available for Joseph and Mary. Thus, when Jesus was born, Mary “wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger”, Lk 2:7.
This might appear to be a misfortune for this carpenter’s family. However, when you consider that Jesus is the “The Lamb of God” Jn 1:29, is it not fitting that he is in a manger? This tells you much about God, whose Son is the King of the Jews. Jesus didn’t come into this world as royalty; he came into this world in humility, Phil 2:7-8.
It is important to notice that Jesus is the firstborn son of Mary, which is further confirmation that Mary did not remain a perpetual virgin. Jesus was the first of five sons she bore, Mk 6:3.
The Shepherds
The shepherds were in the field watching over their flock at night. By this we know that Jesus was not born in December. These men and their sheep wouldn’t have been in the field at night, Lk 2:8, in the middle of winter.
When the angel of the Lord appeared, the shepherds were afraid, Lk 2:9, which is a common reaction, Lk 1:12. And as the angel said to Zacharias, he said to them “Fear not”, Lk 2:10. He said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people”.
The good tidings are these, Lk 2:11. Jesus is Saviour, Christ, and Lord. For him to be Saviour and Lord, he has to be God manifest in the flesh, Is 43:11, 1 Tim 3:16. As Christ, he is the Jews’ Messiah, Jn 1:41, 4:25.
The angel intended for the shepherds to go see the baby for themselves. This is why he said, “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger”, Lk 2:12. There would certainly only be one baby in Bethlehem in a manger.
The multitude of the heavenly host, Lk 2:13, that joined the angel of the Lord were “angels”, Lk 2:15. They were praising God and saying. Unlike the carol, “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing”, these angels were not singing.
According to their proclamation, there must first be Glory to God before there will be Peace on earth, Lk 2:15. And when there is peace on earth, there will be good will toward men, not peace toward men of good will, like the modern Bibles have translated this.
So, the shepherds went to see the babe and they found Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying a manger, Lk 2:15-16. And then they reported what the angels said, Lk 2:17. God used shepherds to herald his son’s birth, not elders, priests, and rulers.
The people wondered at the shepherds’ report, evidently, because they weren’t looking for their Messiah to come yet. It appears that only Simeon and Anna were waiting, Lk 2:25, 36. Mary kept these things in her heart, Lk 2:18-19, 2:51.
The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God, Lk 2:20. That’s what we should do now that we have “seen” the Saviour.
Jesus’s Circumcision
When Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised and named, Lk 2:21, Lev 12:2-3. The angel had told both Jospeh and Mary what to name him, Matt 1:21, Lk 1:31.
When the days of Mary’s purification were accomplished, Lev 12:2-6 (notice that Mary was “unclean”), they presented Jesus to the Lord, in accordance with the ordinance in Ex 13:2, and Lev 2:4-6, Lk 2:22-23.
There Mary offered a sacrifice in accordance with Lev 12:7-8 to make atonement for her, Lk 2:24. She had to be cleansed. By her sin offering, we know that Mary was not sinless. And so the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is a religious fabrication.
To study the prior lesson, see John’s Birth. To study the next lesson, see Simeon and Anna.